Current Events and Links

Prophetic Significance of Israel

Iran must decide - nuclear bomb or survival

Aug. 28, 2012 - Israel's Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon participated in a commemoration ceremony for the victims of the recent terror attack in Burgas, Bulgaria, where Jews and Israelis were targeted. He blamed Iran and their murderous proxy Hezbollah for inciting terrorism and hoping to wipe Israel off the map.

"We mustn't take any option off the table. And, before it is too late, we must force the violent, tyrannical Iranian regime to face a dilemma: A bomb or survival."

Source: YNet News

Poll: Most Americans expect Mideast war soon - WND

Prophetic Significance of Israel

Obama 'Using Israeli Paper to Foil Iran Strike'

Aug. 25, 2012 - The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is concerned about intentional leaks of sensitive information to one of Israel's largest news outlets. The leaks are coming from the Obama administration and are being used by the news to try to disuade Israeli leaders from launching a premptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

One of the Israel's veteran journalists, Amnon Lord, paints a picture of intense U.S. meddling in internal Israeli political and security-oriented processes in an effort to prevent a successful Israeli strike...

Source: Israel National News

IDF chief: Enemies underestimate Israel's devastating power

Aug. 23, 2012 - Recently Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi referred to Israel as a "cancerous tumor," and Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad both predicted that Israel will eventually "disappear off the map."

IDF chief of staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz responded to these threats, saying that they show 'underestimation of our capabilities.' He added that "whoever will try to harm us will face our devastating might."

Source: YNet News

Iranian leaders in Israel’s sights after calling for its destruction -DEBKAfile

Jerusalem mum on Egypt move to send troops to Sinai

Aug. 21, 2012 - Following the recent killing of Egyptian soldiers by Palestinian terrorists near the border of Gaza, Egypt has increased its military presence in the Sinai Peninsula, and is planning to move tanks to Sinai for first time since 1973. This action will technically be in violation of the 1979 Israeli-Egypt peace treaty. However, the Israeli government has not said whether or not Egypt is doing this without Israel's permission.

Communication and coordination between Israel and Egypt remained good throughout the Egyptian Revolution and the deposing of President Hosni Mubarak.

It was based, however, on long-standing ties with Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi and his top generals, forced out this month by [Egyptian President] Morsy.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Iron Dome installed in Eilat - YNet News

Liberman urges strict enforcement of peace treaty as Cairo sends tanks, planes into Sinai - Times of Israel

Update Aug. 23, 2012 - Israel says Egypt violating peace treaty in Sinai - Yahoo

Top US general: Washington and Jerusalem don’t see eye to eye on Iran threat timetable

Aug. 20, 2012 -

The US military’s top general said late Sunday that Israel and the US see the Iranian threat differently, admitting that Washington and Jerusalem are on “different clocks” regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have made it known that they would prefer for the US to take the lead in a pre-emptive strike against Irans's nuclear facilities. Gen. Martin Dempsey, head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that he understands Israel’s concern because their very existence is in question, but he implied that the US would like to persuade Israel not to launch a unilateral strike. The US prefers that sanctions should be given more time to work.

Source: Times of Israel

Will America forsake Israel, again? - Editorial recounting how the US has let Israel down repeatedly over the years. - Jerusalem Post

Israel ‘can’t go it alone’ against Iran, Peres says in rare moment of public dissent with PM

Aug. 17, 2012 - Israel's Chanel 2 Television recently reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have “almost finally” decided to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities this fall. President Shimon Peres voiced his opposition to making this move without the help of the United States.

“Iran is a global threat, to the US and Israel alike,” he added, and said that he is convinced that the US will take action when the moment of truth comes

Source: Times of Israel

‘US message to Israel: Don’t rely on us to finish the job in Iran’

Aug. 13, 2012 - White House spokesman Jay Carney said,

“We continue to believe there is time and space for diplomacy, the opportunity remains for Iran to take advantage of this process.”

An unnamed source in the Obama Administration told Israel’s Channel 2 News that the US would help defend Israel against a counterattack from Iran, but could not be expected to finish the job of destroying Iran's nuclear sites.

Source: Times of Israel

Attack on Iran Means Regional War, Says Ex-IDF General

Aug. 13, 2012 - Former IDF Operations Commander Yisrael Zif, speaking on Israeli Army Radio, warned that an Israeli military attack on Iran would ignite a regional war. He said that the situation was much more complicated that the aerial strike on the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981. He joined other critics who are decrying a “worrisome lack of security” in the government, illustrated by the numerous statements coming from the offices of the Prime Minister and the Defense Ministry.

In yesterday's Atlantic Magazine, Jeffrey Goldberg echoed Ziv’s warnings. He said an Israeli attack now might be "trading a theoretical war later for an actual war now."

Goldberg listed six other reasons against an Israeli military attack, ranging from the risk of the deaths of innocent people, both Iranian and Israeli, to a possible “disaster for the U.S.-Israel relationship.”

Source: Israel National News

Israeli Premier: Iran Threat Dwarfs All Others

Aug. 12, 2012 - Speaking to his cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said,

"All threats directed at the Israeli home front are dwarfed by another threat, different in its magnitude and substance, and so I have repeated and shall repeat: Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons."

President Obama has also said that Israel must not be allowed to produce nuclear weapons, but he apparently feels there is still time for more diplomatic activity before engaging in military action.

Source: ABC News

Israel wants to attack Iran before U.S. vote: Israeli report - The Globe and Mail - Canada

Despite rocky region, Israeli tourism booming

Aug. 12, 2012 - In spite of war threats all around Israel, tourists from the U.S. and Europe are flocking to the country in record numbers, sensing that Israel is friendly and safe.

Nearly 300,000 tourists arrived in July, a record for the month and an 8 percent increase over the previous July, according to the Tourism Ministry. ... The ministry says each month of 2012 so far has set an all-time record for that month.

Source: Yahoo

Israel's Barak: A nuclear Iran is taking shape before us. Time for decisions is short

Aug. 10, 2012 - In a radio interview Defense Minister Ehud Barak said “a nuclear Iran is taking shape right before our eyes.” He also said,

"I am aware of an American intelligence finding... that brings American intelligence assessments [of the current state of the Iranian nuclear program] very close to ours. This makes the Iranian question... extremely urgent,"

Source: DEBKAfile

Iran’s nuclear program designed to ‘finish off’ Israel, Hezbollah MP says - Times of Israel

IDF foils assault on southern border after terrorists kill 16 Egyptian soldiers

Aug. 5, 2012 - Palestinian terrorists commandeered two Egyptian armored vehicles, killed at least 16 Egyptian soldiers, and then crossed into Israel. The Israeli army and air force were quickly mobilized. They stopped the intruders and killed several terrorists.

The Israeli security forces had advance intelligence on plans for an attack, the IDF Spokesman Yoav Mordechai said. Maj.-Gen. Tal Russo, the O/C Southern command, was at the scene.

Source: Times of Israel

Palestinians fear deterioration in Egypt ties after attack - Jerusalem Post

Terrorists were more than a kilometer inside Israel, speeding toward kibbutz, when army blew up their armored vehicle - Times of Israel

Iran warns Syria conflict could engulf Israel

Aug. 5, 2012 - Iran Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani claimed that, "The fire that has been ignited in Syria will take the fearful (Israelis) with it."

Larijani accused the United States and regional countries he did not name of providing military support to rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, a key Arab ally of Iran.

Larijani is said to be a moderate conservative, a fierce critic of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and a likely presidential candidate in 2013.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Netanyahu: I’ll Take Responsibility for the Consequences if Israel Strikes Iran

Aug. 3, 2012 - In a closed meeting this week with security establishment officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said that if Israel strikes Iran's nuclear facilities, he will accept responsibility for the action.

While the Israeli war hero allegedly made it clear during the meeting that he would prefer the U.S. to take the initiative, he believes the U.S. is not yet prepared to pursue military action.

Source: The Blaze

On Iran: Mission possible, and before it's too late

Aug. 3, 2012 - This article recounts the “Doolittle Raid” in 1942 by American forces against Japan. The bombers that were used for the attack were not able to hold enough fuel to return to a safe base, so they took their chances landing in China after delivering their payloads. It was extremely risky, and a few pilots died in the process, but overall, it was a great success, showing the enemy that they were not immune to the military reach of the United States.

For the U.S. military, the raid showed that there was no such thing as “mission impossible.” There are only challenges that can be overcome with a spirit for combat.

Israel's task in a pre-emptive attack against Iran's nuclear installations is not an impossible mission, but if they wait too long it will be.

Source: Israel Hayom

Barak Warns Israel Ready to Go It Alone on Iran

July 26, 2012 - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told graduates of the Israeli Defense Force National Security College that Israel is responsible for its own security, and is "committed to doing everything it can in order to stop Iran from going nuclear." He also said,

"Having to deal with the challenge" of an Iran possessing nuclear bombs "would be many times more complex, dangerous and costly, both in terms of human life and in terms of resources, than a preemptive strike."

Source: Israel National News

In hint to Iran, PM says 'best defense is a good offense' - Israel Hayom

Knesset approves a ‘stop Iranian nukes’ law - Times of Israel

Report: US sees Israeli strike on Iran in October - Israel Today Magazine

Prophetic Significance of Israel

'Israel won't allow chemical weapons to reach Hezbollah,' PM says

July 24, 2012 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes the Assad regime in Syria will be overthrown. When that happens the greatest concern will be the control of Syria's weapons of mass destruction.

Netanyahu said Israel hasn't considered specifically trying to cross the border to seize the weapons. "There are other possibilities," he said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday

Source: Israel Hayom

Mofaz hints at Netanyahu plan to attack Iran

July 24, 2012 - Shaul Mofaz, leader of Israel's opposition party, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to attack Iran.

Mofaz, who led his Kadima party out of the coalition last week, declared that Kadima wanted no part in “operational adventures” planned by Netanyahu, which he said would endanger Israelis.

Source:Times of Israel

US Congressman Walsh spearheads initiative to recognize Levy report

July 23, 2012 - Congresmann Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) is gathering signatures for a new initiative to have Congress recognize the Edmund Levy report, which argues that under international law Israel is not occupying Judea and Samaria.

The report was written by a committee headed by Levy and included retired Tel Aviv District Court Judge Tchia Shapira and former Foreign Ministry legal adviser Alan Baker. Its main premise is that, under international law, Israel is not an occupying force in Judea and Samaria.

Source: Israel Hayom

WALSH: Myth of a two-state solution - May 3, 2012 - Washington Times

English translation of the legal arguments in the Levy Report (updated) - The Elder of Ziyon

'Syria may use chemical arms in external attack'

July 23, 2012 - Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said that the country's weapons of mass destruction were safely stored by the armed forces and would not be used against their own people.

"The ministry wants to re-affirm the stance of the Syrian Arab Republic that any chemical or bacterial weapon will never be used - and I repeat will never be used - during the crisis in Syria regardless of the developments," Makdissi said.

Makdissi added that these weapons could be used against an external aggression.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Barak: Israel may seize advanced weapons in Syria

July 20, 2012 - During a television interview Friday Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak revealed that Israel might act to prevent the transfer of weapons from Syria to Hezbollah if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad starts to fall from power.

"I have instructed the military to increase its intelligence preparations and prepare what is needed so that ... (if necessary) ... we will be able to consider carrying out an operation."

Israel is concerned about the possible transfer of anti-aircraft missiles, heavy ground-to-ground missiles, or chemical weapons of mass destruction.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Analysis: Syria's implosion worries neighbors - Yahoo

'Damascus a Ruinous Heap?' Christians Point to Isaiah 17:1 as Syria Conflict Rages - Nicola Menzie - Christian Post

Israelis killed in Bulgaria bus terror attack

July 18, 2012 - A suicide bomber caused a deadly explosion on a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. The blast was called a terrorist attack by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. [Five Israelis were killed.]

The attack was probably initiated by a group under the auspices of "either Iran or other radical Muslim groups," according to Barak, who cited Hezbollah and Hamas as likely suspects.

Source: CNN

Israeli media point finger at Iran over Bulgaria attack - BBC

Clinton: US will use ‘all its power’ to prevent nuclear Iran

July 17, 2012 - After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters that Iran has not yet changed their thinking after three rounds of talks with international negotiators.

“Iran’s leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision,” she told reporters, adding “we will use all elements of American power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

Source: Times of Israel

European Commission Head: 'Two-state solution key to achieving peace'

July 11, 2012 - At Haifa University, where he received an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work to combat anti-Semitism, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the only solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem is the establishment of a viable democratic state of Palestine and the recognition of a secure and recognized state of Israel. He pledged the help of the European Union to achieve a negotiated final-status agreement.

“The European Union will be your steadfast partner in this endeavor and will assist you in lighting the candle of peace that will shine for many,” he said.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel perturbed by Obama’s outreach to Mursi - against his word

July 10, 2012 - Last month President Obama assured a delegation of US Jewish leaders at the White House that he would not invite Egypt's new president Mohammed Mursi to the White House or maintain direct telephone contact with him until he met certain conditions, the foremost of which concerned a public and unambiguous commitment to Egypt’s 1979 peace treaty with Israel. Since then the President invited Mursi to visit the White House.

President Obama had sent Deputy Secretary of State William Burns to Cairo for two days of interviews with Egyptian officials, in none of which did future relations with Israel figure.

Source: DEBKAfile

UNESCO: Nativity Church heritage site in 'Palestine'

June 30, 2012 - The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization approved designation of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity as a World Heritage Site, and it listed its location as "Palestine."

The vote, which was held by a secret ballot, gives an emotional boost to the Palestinian drive to eventually be recognized unilaterally as a member state of the United Nations.

Gideon Koren, Israel's Vice President of the International Council on Monuments called the decision "irresponsible," and the U.S. representative said he was "profoundly disappointed by the decision."

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel braces for Morsi to insert changes into peace accords

June 26, 2012 - Senior israeli defense officials say that they do not expect any immediate changes in the relationship between Israel and Egypt now that the Egyptians have chosen a president who comes from the Muslim Brotherhood. The existing peace treaty is of value to the people of both countries.

Over the long term, they warned, the Brotherhood may seek to cancel the peace agreement. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a sensitive security assessment.

Source: Israel Hayom

After an Israeli Strike on Iran

June 26, 2012 - Islamic expert Daniel Pipes reports on a study of the probable response of Iran to a premptive strike by Israel. Their conclusion is that Iran would engage in a short phase of high-intensity response that would not result in many casualties, and then return to the same kind of terrorist activity that already exists, and "would not be the apocalyptic event some foresee.”

This analysis makes a convincing case that the danger of nuclear weapons falling into Iranian hands far exceeds the danger of a military strike to prevent this from happening.

Source: National Review Online

Election of Islamist as Egyptian president raises concerns in Israel

June 25, 2012 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the announcement that Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi has won the elected office of President of Egypt.

"Israel appreciates the democratic process in Egypt and respects the results of the presidential elections. Israel looks forward to continuing cooperation with the Egyptian government on the basis of the peace treaty between the two countries."

Source: The Washington Post

Morsy: I will work to expand bilateral ties with Iran - Jerusalem Post

Putin arrives in Israel to discuss Iran, Syria

June 26, 2012 -

With the Muslim Brotherhood now in charge in Egypt and Syria in flames, Russian President Vladimir Putin makes his first visit to the volatile region on Monday since becoming president again in May, with a quick two-day journey to Israel and Jordan.

Putin will meet with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and then with a larger gathering of staff and other ministers. He will attend the dedication of a monument to the Red Army for its victory over Nazi Germany, join President Shimon Peres for a state dinner, and visit Bethlehem while he is in the country.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Israel President Says Russia Can Help Mideast Peace - RiaNovosti

Iran general: Military strike would be end of Israel - Jerusalem Post

Israel won’t attack Iran while West pursues current diplomatic effort

June 23, 2012 - The third round of talks between representatives of the United Nations Security Council, plus Germany, with representatives of Iran took place in Moscow this week, but it ended without agreements. An unnamed Israeli official told reporters that Israel will not attack Iran before the West finishes the last two rounds of talks with Iran. He said,

“Of course we are going to wait, what else can we do?” the official, who asked to remain anonymous, said. To attack before the current diplomatic avenue of engagement was exhausted was unthinkable."

He also explained that it had been clear from the beginning that there would be five rounds of nuclear talks with Iran, and it would not be known what Iran would do until the end of the process. The next talks will take place in July.

Source: Times of Israel

Israel to Press Visiting Putin on Iran

June 22, 2012 - When Vladimir Putin visits Israel next week it is assumed that threats from Iran and Syria will be high on the list of important topics. Russia supports both of these enemies of Israel, but analysts think that Russia is not in favor of a major war in the region in the near future. Meir Javedanfar, an Iranian-born analyst who lives in Israel believes that Putin's visit to Israel sends that message to Iran. He said,

"One of the reasons Putin is coming to Israel is to put pressure on the Iranians, to say, 'If you don't compromise, I will align myself more with the country that you consider to be your enemy.'"

Source: NewsMax

Israel’s Undersea Gas Bonanza May Spur Mideastern Strife

June 17, 2012 - Once dependent on other countries to supply its energy needs, Israel now controls large underwater gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea. The Tamar field, about 50 miles off the Israeli coast, has an estimated 8.3 trillion cubic feet of gas, and the Leviathan field is estimated to hold 16 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. And now it is thought that the Levant Basin, off the coast of Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza Strip may have 1.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil, 122 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas and 5 billion barrels of natural gas liquids.

Meghan L. O’Sullivan, a professor at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government warns,

There is also a real threat that these gas discoveries could serve as a spur for conflict rather than economic growth... Exploration continues, and it could be only a matter of time before a field is discovered straddling contested boundaries.

Source: Bloomberg

A look at Israel's mass evacuation plan

June 11, 2012 - Israel is meeting soon to prepare revised plans for the possible evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Israelis if war should break out and parts of the country are attacked by missiles and rockets. The temporary evacuation would move most people who are endangered to the southern part of the country, near Eilat.

Source: YNet News

Israel identifies cyberspace as key battlefield

June 8, 2012 - Israel's military website acknowledge cyberwarfare this week.

It said the military has "relentlessly" defended its cyberspace. "Additionally, if necessary, the cyberspace will be used to execute attacks and intelligence operations." it said.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Sources: Raptors sent to help Israel

June 5, 2012 - The U.S. is sending Air Force F-22 Raptors to the United Arab Emirates where they would presumably be used to assist Israel in case of hostilities with Iran.

The dispatch of the Raptors is said to be part of a new but untested Defense Department Air Sea Battle, or ASB, strategy to keep open the vital Strait of Hormuz through which up to 40 percent of the world’s oil and other commerce transit.

Source: WND

Israel Discovers New Giant Off-Shore Oil and Gas Field

June 3, 2012 - Israelis have discovered an additional huge off-shore oil field.

Israel Opportunity Energy Resources LP announced that its Pelagic licenses indicate 6.7 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas and 1.4 billion barrels of oil. By comparison, the previously announced Tamar and Leviathan off-shore fields contain an estimated 9 and 17 TCF of natural gas.

Source: Israel National News

Report: German officials confirm submarines sold to Israel can fire nuclear-tipped cruise missiles

June 3, 2012 - Last month, Israel received its fourth Dolphin –class submarine from Germany. It is expected to become operational in 2013, and will be equipped to enable the launch of nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.

Source: Haaretz

Iran official hints Dimona reactor may be targeted

June 2, 2012 - Iranian General Yahya Rahim Safavi says that an attack from Israel is not likely because conditions are not right between the U.S. and Israel.

However, in case of an attack, "we will act against their military operation smartly, proportional to any damage that they inflict on us ... meaning we will hurt them as much as they hurt us." This may suggest that Iran would attempt to target the Dimona reactor.

Source: YNet News

The reign of the fantasists

June 1, 2012 - The two Baracks seem to be living in a fantasy world.

Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak has done it again. Speaking Wednesday at the Institute for National Security Studies, Barak warned that if Israel can't cut a deal with the Palestinians soon, it should consider surrendering Judea and Samaria in exchange for nothing.

One would think this is a misinterpretation of his beliefs, but a look at his past dealings show how wrong he can be. When he was premier, he oversaw Israel's unilateral surrender of South Lebanon in the hopes that Hezbollah would soften, but they did not.

The other man is President Barack Obama, whose policy towards Iran is, as Michael Singh wrote on Wednesday in the New York Daily News, "that at the root of the Iran nuclear crisis is US-Iran conflict, and that the root cause of that conflict is mistrust." Meanwhile Iranian leaders continue to say that they want to destroy Israel and the U.S.

Source: Caroline B. Glick - Jewish World Review